On-Air Highlights

'Intelligence Squared' debates return to witf FM

“Intelligence Squared U.S.” brings Oxford-style debating to America — one motion, one moderator, two informed and provocative panelists for the motion, and two against. John Donvan is the official moderator of “Intelligence Squared” debates. The debate series takes on the hot-button issues of the day to inform, enlighten and entertain. Each debate airs on at 7 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month on witf FM.

March 30: Russia is a marginal power.

Disarming Syria. Asylum for Edward Snowden. Arming Iran. Is Vladimir Putin flexing his muscles, while our own president fades into the background of world politics, or is it all a global game of smoke and mirrors? Russia is one of the world's largest oil producers and has the power of veto on the U.N. Security Council, but it remains an authoritarian state, rife with corruption and economic struggles.

April 27: Outlook for Millennials: Do they stand a chance?

Millennials—growing up with revolutionary technology and entering adulthood in a time of recession—have recently been much maligned. Are their critics right? Is this generation uniquely coddled, narcissistic, and lazy? Or have we let conventional wisdom blind us to their openness to change and innovation, and optimism in the face of uncertainty, which, in any generation, are qualities to be admired?

May 25: Does affirmative action on campuses do more harm than good?

Affirmative action, when used as a factor in college admissions, is meant to foster diversity and provide equal opportunities in education for underrepresented minorities. But is it achieving its stated goals and helping the population it was created to support? Its critics point to students struggling to keep up in schools mismatched to their abilities and to the fact that the policy can be manipulated to benefit affluent and middle class students who already possess many educational advantages. Is it time to overhaul or abolish affirmative action?

June 29: Is the future of the university online?

Is the college of the future online? With the popularity of MOOCs (massive open online courses) and the availability of online degree programs at a fraction of their oncampus price, we are experiencing an exciting experiment in higher education. Does the traditional classroom stand a chance? Will online education be the great equalizer, or is a campus-based college experience still necessary?

Join ‘Intelligence Squared U.S.’ moderator John Donvan and four panelists as they debate issues of the day. When? 7 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month on witf FM.

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